I participated in a Storage Unit Auction similar to what you see on the television show “Storage Wars.” A dozen people gathered around a small, closet-sized unit as the auctioneer opened the door to reveal the contents within. A rule of the auction is that no one can do anything more than visually inspect the contents from outside the unit… no entrance beyond the door and no opening of boxes is allowed. There was very little to see inside the unit: an old bike, some rusty chains and some clothing. But, there was one very interesting item that everyone saw and took note of… a black safe box with a key sticking in it. The content of the safe box was left to our imagination. Could there be cash in the box? Jewels? Valuable papers?
The bidding began and quickly escalated. When the bidding was over, the unit was purchased for $200. That was a steep price for the inexpensive contents. The bidder was hoping (and gambling) on the thought that the box contained something valuable. My curiosity got the better of me and I asked, “What do you think is in the box?” The gentleman who won the bid grabbed the box, turned the key and opened the lid to reveal the contents… NOTHING! His gamble did not pay off. He held a $200 EMPTY safe box in his hands.
Throughout my life I’ve seen many people “take a gamble” with their lives, similar to the one this man made at the auction. They invest their time, money and energy in a variety of endeavors hoping to “get lucky” and discover some lasting treasure in life, only to find that their investment and efforts were rewarded with EMPTINESS. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that all this world can offer is “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Yes, the best this world has to offer us is EMPTINESS… and it doesn’t matter if someone has purchased, or owns, more emptiness than you. To be completely filled with empty things is meaningless and pointless.
So, today, I encourage you to do what Jesus requested:
“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20 NLT)
